NO MORE FUNDS FOR NUP!! Bobi Wine’s Party Blocked from Shs7.5 Billion Funding as Museveni Gov’t Sets Tough Conditions

Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, and his National Unity Platform (NUP) are set to miss out on UGX 7.5 billion in government funding traditionally distributed to political parties through the Electoral Commission. This year, however, NUP has been blocked from accessing the funds.

The decision follows recent amendments to the Political Parties and Organisations Act, which now restrict government funding to parties that are members of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD). NUP withdrew from IPOD, criticizing it as ineffective and lacking genuine commitment to political reform.

As a result, NUP no longer qualifies for financial support under the revised regulations.

Justice Minister Norbert Mao confirmed that, under the updated legal framework, the Electoral Commission is prohibited from disbursing funds to any party outside IPOD. He instructed the Commission to withhold all allocations until new statutory instruments are put in place.

This development marks a significant financial setback for NUP, which will now have to rely heavily on donations from supporters in Uganda and the diaspora to sustain its political operations. The loss of funding is expected to hamper grassroots mobilization and preparations for the 2026 elections.

In contrast, opposition parties such as the Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and the People’s Front for Transition (PFT) remain eligible for funding due to their continued participation in IPOD.

NUP’s exclusion has sparked criticism among its supporters, who view the move as politically motivated and aimed at weakening the opposition. With the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) still firmly entrenched after nearly 40 years in power, the new funding rules could make it more difficult for challengers like Bobi Wine to compete on an equal footing.

As the road to 2026 intensifies, attention is turning to how NUP will navigate this financial hurdle and maintain its political momentum.